Transverse Mounted In-Line Shower Filter

ABSTRACT

A shower filter/diverter assembly is provided for selectively outputting filtered water to one of a plurality of output ports. The assembly comprises a shower filter/diverter body having an input port for receiving unfiltered water, a plurality of output ports for outputting filtered water, a first end for receiving a shower filter and a second end for communicating the filtered water to one of the plurality of body output ports. A diverter control assembly is engageable to the filter/diverter body second end and translatable to selectively direct filtered water to one of the plurality of body output ports.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The invention generally relates to in-line shower filters and, moreparticularly, to an in-line shower filter having an extractable,transverse mounted filter element and a diverter output control forselectively directing the filtered output to one of a plurality ofoutput ports, e.g. for a shower head or a hand-held shower wand.

In-line shower filters for use in conjunction with shower heads, andfiltered shower heads are well known in the art. Examples of suchin-line shower filters are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,742 toFarley for Shower Filter Assembly Having Reversible Filter, and U.S.Pat. No. 6,187,187 to Farley for Magnetic Shower Filter Assembly.In-line filters are typically connected to the ends of shower arms, withshower heads secured to the filter outputs. One difficulty with respectto use of in-line filters, is that, depending on the components used,the combination of filter and shower head may extend too far into theshower area.

Alternatively, shower heads, including integral shower filters, may beattached directly to the end of the shower arm. One example of suchdevice is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,930 to Farley for a FilteredShower Head. Such filtered showerheads commonly avoid problemsassociated with extension of the shower head too far into the showerarea. However, the selection of filtered showerheads is less than theselection of conventional showerheads, and may not suit the tastes ofsome consumers. Moreover, some consumers prefer the option of changingshowerheads, as they may find appealing, without changing the filteringapparatus.

Hand-held shower heads, or shower handles, have also been constructed toincorporate integral filters. An example of such a device is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,023 to Farley for Hand Held Shower Head withUnitary Filter Housing. However, such integral filters add weight to theshower handle, which may detract from their appeal and usage.

Moreover, the types and styles of filtered shower handles is againrelatively limited, and may not match a persons aesthetic tastes, or theoverall décor of a bathroom or shower area. As such, some consumers findit desirable to provide a shower filter which is separate from theshower head or hand-held shower arm, in order to maximize their optionsin available shower heads or shower arms that can be used.

Transverse mounted in-line shower filters allow for the use ofconventional shower heads or hand-held shower wands, without extendingthe shower head too far into the shower area. One implementation of sucha transverse mounted shower filter is provided in U.S. Pat. No.7,097,122 to Farley for Filtered Shower Arm. The transverse mountedfilter disclosed in the reference additionally allows for removal andreplacement of the filter without the need to disconnect the shower headfrom the supporting filter assembly. However, while the device disclosedin the Farley '122 patent satisfies many of the needs described above,it is limited to a single output, e.g. for a shower head.

Some consumers prefer the option of using either a hand-held showerwand, or a shower head in the shower. Having such an option not onlyaccommodates the general preferences of different users, but also allowsfor use of an alternate output where it may be most effective, e.g. useof a shower wand to rinse sand off of the user's legs. Shower divertervalves, having a plurality of selectable output ports, may be connectedto the output of an in-line filter, to allow for such dual outputs.However, the combination may again cause an undesirable extension of theshower head into the shower area, or create undesirable aesthetics.Moreover, hand-held shower handles commonly include brackets forreceiving and supporting the handle when not in use. The orientation ofthe brackets and the dimensions of the adjacent shower head may make itcumbersome to mount both the shower head and shower handle to thediverter.

Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a less cumbersome, easyto install and use, combination water filter and diverter that allowsfor multiple shower outputs.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A shower filter/diverter assembly is provided for selectively outputtingfiltered water to one of a plurality of output ports. The assemblycomprises a shower filter/diverter body having an input port forreceiving unfiltered water, a plurality of output ports for outputtingfiltered water, a first end for receiving a shower filter and a secondend for communicating the filtered water to one of the plurality of bodyoutput ports. A diverter control assembly is engageable to thefilter/diverter body second end and translatable to selectively directfiltered water to one of the plurality of body output ports.

In the presently preferred embodiment the filter/diverter assemblydefines a longitudinal axis which may be transverse to the direction ofwater into the body input port.

The filter/diverter body defines an internal filter chamber forreceiving a replaceable water filter cartridge, and a filter chamberoutput port.

The diverter control assembly may include a rotatable diverter capengageable to the filter/diverter body second end, the diverter capbeing rotatable to direct filtered water from the filter chamber outputport to one of the plurality of body output ports.

The filter/diverter body may further define a plurality of filteredwater output pathways, each of the filtered water output pathwaysextending from the filter/diverter body second end to a respective oneof the plurality of body output ports. Each of the plurality of filteredwater output pathways may define a respective pathway input aperture.

The diverter control assembly may include at least one aperture sealingmember, translatable in response to rotation of the diverter cap, toselectively seal at least one of the pathway input apertures to precludefiltered water flow therethrough.

In the presently preferred embodiment the sealing member is selectivelytranslatable to preclude communication of filtered water to at least oneof the body output ports.

The rotatable diverter cap may define a filtered water chamberintermediate the rotatable diverter cap and the body second end, thefiltered water chamber being in fluid communication with the filterchamber output port and with the filtered water output pathways.

The filter/diverter assembly may further comprise a shower handlesupport collar disposed about the filter/diverter body, proximate thebody first end. The shower handle support collar includes a showerhandle support bracket affixed thereto.

A retaining ring may be provided about the filter/diverter body,proximate the body first end. The retaining ring may include a dateselector form thereon. The date indicator ring may also be disposedabout the body first end proximate the date selector ring, the dateindictor ring being rotatable relative to the date selector ring, toindicate when a filter element was installed within the assembly.

A filter cartridge may be disposed within the filter assembly forfiltering water passing therethrough. The filter cartridge isperiodically replaceable as useful to maintain filtered water quality.The filter cartridge includes a filter cartridge output port engageableto the filter chamber output port, and an input port disposed proximatethe body first end. The filter/diverter body and filter cartridge definea water flow path from the input port, about the filter cartridge andthrough the filter cartridge to the filter chamber output port. A filterretaining cap is engageable to the filter/diverter body first end.

A filter cartridge retaining member may be disposed proximate the filtercartridge, intermediate the filter cartridge retaining cap and thefilter cartridge input port. The filter cartridge retaining member maydefine a plurality of radially arrayed passageways to facilitate theflow of unfiltered water from the filter chamber to the filter cartridgeinput port.

In one embodiment the filter/diverter assembly includes first and secondoutput ports and first and second filtered water output pathways.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is front perspective view of the invention, as installed;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top sectional view of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the filter/diverter assembly;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the filter/diverter body;

FIG. 7 is a first end view of the filter/diverter body; and

FIG. 8 is a second end view of the filter/diverter body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the inventiondisclosed herein, including various ways of regulating water flowthrough the filter/diverter assembly. Further, the various features ofthe embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varyingcombinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to thespecific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims isnot to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary water filter/diverterassembly 11 as installed for use. The assembly 11 is connected to ashower arm 13, to receive the water input. Water is output from assembly11 through shower head 15 or shower handle 17. The output is selectableby rotation of diverter cap 19, as explained in more detail below. Endcap 21 is engageable to assembly 11 and is removable to allow forinsertion/replacement of a filter cartridge within the assembly 11.

FIG. 2 is an end view of assembly 11 shown in FIG. 1. Input port 23 isengageable to the shower arm 13 to receive an input water flow. Outputports 25, 27 communicate a flow of filtered water from the assembly tothe connected devices, such as a shower head or hand held shower handle.Selection of the output is in response to rotation of the diverter cap19. Bracket 26 (also shown at FIG. 1) functions to receive and supportthe shower wand 17.

The internal arrangement of parts and operation of the assembly is shownin more detail at FIGS. 3-8. FIG. 3 shows a front sectional view of theassembly 11, illustrating the unfiltered water input port 23 andfiltered water output port 27 which communicate water to and from thefilter/diverter body 29, respectively. The filter/diverter assembly 11defines a longitudinal axis 20, which is transverse to the direct ofwater flow into the body input port 23. As such, the filter cartridge 31is disposed transverse to the input water flow from the shower arm andthe extension of the assembly, in combination with shower head 15 andshower handle 17, into the shower area is significantly reduced.

In the presently preferred embodiment, end cap 21 is threadably engagedto body 29 to allow insertion/removal of filter cartridge 31, into bodyfirst end 42, to filter chamber 33. As further shown in FIGS. 5-8, thefilter cartridge 31 includes a filter input 35 and a filter output 37.The filter output 37 is engaged to filter chamber output port 39, whichcommunicates filtered water from the filter 31 to a filtered waterchamber 41, disposed intermediate the diverter cap 19 and the bodysecond end 43. Fastener 45 secures the diverter cap 19 to the bodysecond end 43. Fastener sealer 47 circumscribes fastener 45 and preventswater flow from the filtered water output chamber 41 from beingdischarged. Cover 49 covers fastener 45.

Filter cartridge retaining member 53 is disposed proximate the filtercartridge 31, intermediate the filter cartridge retaining cap 21 and thefilter cartridge input port 35. As shown more clearly at FIG. 5 thefilter cartridge retaining member 53 defines a plurality of radiallyarrayed passageways 55 to facilitate the flow of unfiltered water fromthe filter chamber to the filter cartridge input port. The filteredwater output from filter cartridge 31 is communicated from the filteredwater output chamber 41 through pathway apertures 56, 58 (shown at FIG.6) to filtered water output pathways 57, 59 (shown at FIGS. 4, 6 and 7),each pathway being in fluid communication with an associated output 27,25, respectively. By rotating the diverter cap 19, one or more apertures(and associated pathways) is selectively opened/blocked to regulate theflow of filtered water to the desired fixture, e.g. shower head 15 orhand held shower handle 17.

FIG. 4 provides an alternate sectional view, further illustrating theconstruction of the assembly 11, to an alternate output, i.e. filteredwater output pathway 59 and filtered water output port 25.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the filter/diverter assembly 11. As showntherein, filter cartridge 31 is disposable into a first end of body 29,and engaged by to filter cartridge retaining member 53. Filter retainingcap 21 is threadably engageable to first end 42 of body 29, to securethe filter cartridge 31 to the filter chamber 33.

Shower handle support collar 61 is disposable about the first end ofbody 29, and includes a shower handle support bracket 26. Retaining ring63 is also engageable about the first end of body 17. The retrainingring 63 includes a groove 65 adapted to engage rib 69 to precluderotation of the retaining ring 63 about the body 17. The retaining ring63 further includes a date selector indicia 67, which may be implementedas an arrow or the like formed on the outer surface of retaining ring63.

Date indicator ring 71 is also disposable about the first end of body17, and includes a plurality of grooves 73 a, b, which releasably engage75, such that the date indicator ring 71 may rotate about body 17, butremain in a selected rotational position when rotational force isreleased. The date indicator ring 71 is provided with a plurality ofdate markers 77, e.g. indicating the months of the year. The dateindicator ring 71 may be rotated relative to retaining ring 63 until anappropriate date, e.g. installation date, is juxtaposed proximate dateselector 67, to facilitate timely replacement.

The operation of the diverter control assembly 80 is further shown moreclearly at FIGS. 3-6. As generally shown therein, the rotation ofdiverter cap 19 causes translation of diverter sealing member 79 toselectively seal at least one of the pathway apertures 56, 58, topreclude water flow therethrough. Rotation of the diverter cap moves theaperture sealing member 79 so as to change which aperture is in fluidcommunication with the filtered water output from filter cartridge 31.

In the presently preferred embodiment the diverter cap 19 is providedwith a pair of internal flanges 81, 83, which receive diverter supportmember 85, to which spring members 87 and diverter engaging member 89are engaged. The diverter sealing member 79 is, in turn, engaged tomember 89. As a result, the diverter sealing member 79 rotates inresponse to rotation of diverter cap 19 to selectively block/unblock oneor more of the apertures, 56, 58 (shown at FIGS. 6, 7).

It is understood that various alternative embodiments are encompassedwithin the broad spirit and scope of the invention. For example, theparticular components of the diverter control assembly 80 may beimplemented in a variety of different configurations, operative toselectively direct the output of filtered water to one or more outlets.Similarly, the number of outlets may be increased to 3 or more, and theoutput appliances may include a plurality of shower heads, hoses orother water output devices, as preferred by the user. These and othermodifications and enhancements are understood to be encompassed withinthe scope of the claims, as set forth below.

1. A shower filter/diverter assembly for selectively outputting filteredwater to one of a plurality of output ports comprising: a showerfilter/diverter body having an input port for receiving unfilteredwater, a plurality of body output ports for outputting filtered water, afirst end for receiving a shower filter and a second end forcommunicating the filtered water to one of the plurality of body outputports; and a diverter control assembly engageable to the filter/diverterbody second end, the diverter assembly being translatable to selectivelydirect filtered water to one of the plurality of body output ports. 2.The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein thefilter/diverter body defines an internal filter chamber for receiving areplaceable water filter cartridge.
 3. The filter/diverter assembly asrecited in claim 2 wherein the filter/diverter body second end defines afilter chamber output port.
 4. The filter/diverter assembly as recitedin claim 3 wherein the diverter control assembly includes a rotatablediverter cap engageable to the filter/diverter body second end, thediverter cap being rotatable to direct filtered water from the filterchamber output port to one of the plurality of body output ports.
 5. Thefilter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein thefilter/diverter body defines a plurality of filtered water outputpathways, each of the filtered water pathways extending from thefilter/diverter body second end to a respective one of the plurality ofbody output ports.
 6. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 5wherein each of the plurality of filtered water output pathways define arespective pathway input aperture.
 7. The filter/diverter assembly asrecited in claim 6 wherein the diverter control assembly includes atleast one aperture sealing member, translatable in response to rotationof the diverter cap, to selectively seal at least one of the pathwayinput apertures to preclude water flow therethrough.
 8. Thefilter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein the sealingmember is selectively translatable to preclude the communication offiltered water to at least one of the body output ports.
 9. Thefilter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein the rotatablediverter cap defines a filtered water chamber intermediate the rotatablediverter cap and the body second end, the filtered water chamber beingin fluid communication with the filter chamber output port and with thefiltered water output pathways.
 10. The filter/diverter assembly asrecited in claim 1 further comprising a shower wand support collardisposed about the filter/diverter body proximate the body first end,the shower wand support collar having a shower wand support bracketaffixed thereto.
 11. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 10further comprising: a retaining ring disposed about the filter/diverterbody proximate the body first end, the retaining ring having a dateselector formed thereon; and a date indicator ring disposed about thebody first end proximate the date selector ring, the date indicator ringbeing rotatable relative to the date selector ring.
 12. Thefilter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 3 further comprising afilter cartridge disposed within the filter chamber, the filtercartridge having a filter cartridge output port engageable to the filterchamber output port and an input port disposed proximate the body firstend, the filter cartridge defining a water flow path from the inputport, about the filter cartridge and through the filter cartridge to thefilter chamber output port.
 13. The filter/diverter assembly as recitedin claim 1 further comprising a filter retaining cap engageable to thefilter/diverter body first end.
 14. The filter/diverter assembly asrecited in claim 13 further comprising a filter cartridge retainingmember being disposed proximate the filter cartridge intermediate thefilter cartridge retaining cap, and the filter cartridge input port, thefilter cartridge retaining member defining a plurality of radiallyarrayed passageways to facilitate the flow of unfiltered water from thefilter chamber to the filter cartridge input port.
 15. Thefilter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein the plurality ofbody output ports comprise first and second output ports.
 16. Thefilter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein the plurality offiltered water output pathways comprises first and second filtered wateroutput pathways.
 17. The filter/diverter assembly as recited in claim 1where in the filter/diverter body defines a longitudinal axis, thelongitudinal axis being transverse to the direction of water flow intothe body input port.